Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world’s leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas.

This Advanced Introduction charts the growth and development of victimology since the Second World War. Exploring competing theoretical perspectives, data sources, and policy emphases, it presents a critical overview of the field and suggests future directions of travel for researchers. Topics covered include trauma creep, witnessing pain, gaining knowledge of suffering, compensation, the role of offenders, and victim-centred justice.



Key Features:








Discusses victimology in its historical context


Considers the ethical dilemmas of studying victimisation and suffering


Adopts a global outlook, incorporating perspectives from the Global South


Explores positivist, radical, critical, cultural, narrative, and feminist victimology


Reviews key policy developments including restorative justice and reconciliation



Examining key concepts in victimology and placing them in their policy context, this Advanced Introduction will be essential reading for scholars and students in criminology, sociology, social policy, and criminal justice. It will also prove a useful guide for activists and policy-makers seeking to centre victims in their work.